jono300

iTrader: (8)

Require a minature toggle switch for a small project I am doing just now, have looked on ebay and I see they are available as Double pole double throw and single pole double throw, bit confused what the difference is if someone could advise ??

cheers

john_s

iTrader: (1)

Double pole double throw (DPDT) has two rows of terminals arranged:
A-common1-B
C-common2-D

(ie 6 terminals in total)

When you switch it, you can have A and C connected to their respective common terminals, or B and D to their respective commons - with no connections between the two poles.

SPDT switches just have one row of terminals:

A-common-B

If you just want an on-off switch for a single wire, you probably just need a SPST switch, or you could use a SPDT switch just by using two terminals (eg A and common).

Hope that helps a bit.

Edit to add:

Wikipedia has a lengthier explanation, with diagrams that might help you understand it better than my waffle:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switch

JDM_Stig

iTrader: (3)

maplins FH99H is the smallest DPDT I can find

jono300

iTrader: (8)

Thanks so much for that bit wiser now !!!

tanyatriangles

iTrader: (2)

Rapid Electronics - Electronic Components

75-0095, SPST is what you need, I reckon, 59p

or look here:
Rapid Electronics - Electronic Components

loads to choose from from standard to sub min, with or without led's in the ends etc.